Finding My Way Back: How I Reclaimed My gym Time

Let’s be real. Life has a funny way of getting in the way and derailing even the best-laid plans. My beautiful color-coded schedules that kept me on track? Gone. The pre-class workout I always squeezed in? A distant memory. For me, it was a perfect storm of learning to work from home full-time + coaching over 28 hours a week (up from 10) + losing my Office Manager unexpectedly and picking my proofreading and copyediting skills back up to do some publishing projects in the late evenings to help my team catch up. Add in sheer exhaustion and my “hour of the day” for fitness quickly became couch time with Netflix.

I was off-track and the longer I was away from my old routine, the harder it felt to come back. Believe me, the voice in my head was there. Sometimes it was loud and sometimes I ignored — “You said you’d get more steps in this week.” “Are you going to use those dumbells sitting on the floor in front of you?” “Did you buy some new sneakers to get motivated?”

Weeks turned into months and admittedly, months turned into a year. I know I’m not alone in this. Figuring out my new normal was tough. It meant starting getting my head back in the game one small step at a time and rebuilding some of the great habits I used to have. Was I tired? Oh yeah. More than I’ve ever been. I was sluggish, mentally foggy, and missing the energy that used to fuel my days from working out and talking to people. Working from home has it’s plusses but one of the HUGE minuses for me was missing the office chatter about shows and food and all the things. I missed community. I missed me. I decided it was time to stop waiting for the “perfect” week to appear and to start making time for what matters.

Getting back on track wasn’t magic, but it was simpler than I thought. Here’s what worked for me getting my fitness back in check.

1. I Ditched the “All or Nothing” Mindset

This was the biggest one. I used to think if I couldn’t go four times a week, it wasn’t worth going at all. I told myself that once is better than none. A single class a week was a win. It was a re-entry point. That shift in pressure on myself was everything. I signed up for a Saturday morning class—no work excuses could get in the way.

2. I Scheduled It Like a Critical Meeting

I don’t cancel on important doctor’s appointments or client meetings. So why was my health and well-being the first thing to get bumped? I opened my calendar and literally blocked out time for fitness for the entire month. I treated them as non-negotiable. Seeing it in my calendar, right between “Team Meeting” and “Rotary Fundraiser,” gave it the weight it deserved. This is something that I suggested to CFE members all the time now and the accountability works!

3. I Embraced the “Just Show Up” Mantra

Some days, the hardest part is not the workout; it’s walking through the door. On those days, I made a deal with myself: just get there 20 minutes early and do something – anything – before you start coaching for the evening. I tell members all the time that they don’t have to set a new record. They don’t have to be the fastest. Theyjust have to move. And every single time, without fail, the moment they walk in and are greeted by name, the moment they heard the music pumping, they know they made the right choice.

4. I Reconnected with the “Why”

I had to remember why I fell in love with fitness in the first place. It wasn’t just about lifting heavier weights (although it’s great perk and I do love some bicep curls). It was about the mental clarity after a workout. Letting stress melt away. The incredible, supportive people who high-five you and cheer loudest when you finally get that first double-under. I wasn’t just making time for fitness; I was making time for my sanity and my community.

5. I Prepped the Night Before

This is a small tactical tip that made a huge difference. Laying out my workout clothes, packing my bag, and having my water bottle ready the night before eliminated every morning excuse. When I used to drive in to Boston every day, I packed a bag for the week and kept it in my trunk so I always had my stuff ready to go. The decision to work out 3 or 4 or 5 days was made on Sundays and I stuck to it.

The Comeback Is Always Stronger Than the Setback

Walking back into the gym for that first class back is going to be nerve-wracking but remember, you’ve done it before. Your gym friends will be excited to see you. If you’re new to CFE, you will make some new friends – guaranteed. And you body? It will be so excited to be back in motion.

I’m not going to pretend I’m suddenly perfect. Life still gets busy. I’ve had some setbacks and struggled to rebuild some lost good habits, but now I have a plan and it’s working. I have more energy, more patience, and my gym girly spark is back.

So if you’re on the sidelines, thinking about your own comeback, I’m here to tell you: the community at CFE misses you. Your favorite barbell misses you. And most importantly, you miss you.

Just show up. We’ll be here for you.

What’s your best tip for getting back on track?

#CFE #FitnessJourney #ComebackSeason #GetBackOnTrack #Health #Wellness #NoBadDays #Community